Moving on without the Mobile Connector

Moving on without the Mobile Connector

Tesla will no longer include its mobile connectivity with new car orders, instead opting to sell the Gen 2 (Level 1) bundle separately for $200 less, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The mobile connector bundle includes an adapter that lets drivers charge their automobiles using a standard 110v household outlet; additional adapters can be purchased separately.

Over the Easter weekend, a Twitter user discovered that Tesla has altered its support page to suggest that the mobile connector package is no longer included with the car, despite the fact that it was previously listed as a vehicle accessory. However, it appears that there is a typo on this page: the chart depicts a Gen 2 mobile connector bundle, but the price is for a $400 Gen 1 (Level 2) bundle (which is also available for purchase separately). Other alterations noticed by users support the theory that the Gen 2 charger is the one in question.

Musk responded by confirming that the Gen 2 mobile connector will no longer be included with new car purchases. “Usage statistics were super low, so seemed wasteful,” Musk said, adding that Tesla “will be including more plug adapters with the mobile connector kit” in the future. It’s not clear which adapters Tesla will include with the kit.

Musk offered another update a few hours later, announcing that Tesla will reduce the price of the mobile connector to $200 in response to user input. He also stated that Tesla will "make it easy" to order the mobile connector when purchasing a car, and that owners should instal a wall charger "well before" their car arrives.

The Gen 2 mobile connector is still listed on Tesla's website for $275, and you wouldn't be able to get one even if you wanted to Because the mobile connector, like the Gen 1 connector, is now out of stock. However, it's unclear how long either attachment has been out of stock or whether Tesla's choice is influenced by a supply chain shortfall.

Musk's choice has elicited a mixed response. Although a mobile connector isn't required because Tesla owners can charge their cars from a wall charger at home or at a charging station, some drivers say having it with them when driving is comforting. The adapter allows drivers to connect their car into a regular outlet, which is useful at campsites or when travelling in an area without charging facilities. The Gen 2 charger, on the other hand, charges at a significantly slower rate, offering around one to three miles of range after an hour of charging.

A mobile connector is very useful when out camping in your Tesla

Some drivers claim that the mobile connector is a considerably less expensive alternative to the expensive wall charger, while others claim that they never use it. Other EVs, such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevy Bolt, and all BMW EVs, come standard with 120v or 240v adapter connectors, with the exception of the Kia EV6, which does not come with a Level 1 or 2 charging connection.

Apple famously stopped including chargers with new iPhones in 2020, and Samsung and Google quickly followed suit. Although there are many similarities between this situation and Tesla's, it is far too early to say whether Tesla's move will have a domino effect on other EV manufacturers.

 

Get Your Mobile Connector at Talsem

A mobile connector is available from Talsem. It is always recommended to have a Tesla mobile connector in your car when traveling - just in case of an emergency. Our mobile connector is compatible with Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y. 

It has an IP 65 waterproof rating and leakage protection: RCD Type A, the mobile charger is manufactured to provide ultimate safety against over-current, over-voltage, over-heating, and lightning and UV damage.